System And Methods For Servicing Electronic Transactions

ABSTRACT

A method for using an electronic transaction device with an electronic transaction service provider may include the steps of registering the electronic transaction device with the electronic transaction device service provider, registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to a plurality of service institutions, providing a data connection between the electronic transaction device and the electronic transaction device service provider, and storing account information for a plurality of service institutions at the electronic transaction device service provider. The method may also include the steps of providing access to a database of client information to the client and analyzing transactional information in the database of client information for a plurality of accounts. The method may also include the steps of designating a portion of the client database non-confidential; analyzing the portion of the client database designated as non-confidential for preferences and patterns; and providing analyzed transactional information to a plurality of vendors.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/284,676, currentlypending, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/372,365, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,308,426.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a system and methods of servicing transactionsinvolving electronic transaction devices, such as universal electronictransaction cards (“UET cards”), and conventional plastic credit cards.The invention also relates to methods of administering a plurality ofclient accounts for an electronic transaction device or conventionalcards.

UET Cards are one type of electronic transaction device known to store,transmit, and receive personal, account, and transactional information.See U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,038, which is incorporated herein by reference.Generally, a UET Card may be a pocket sized device, having amicroprocessor, random access memory, a display, and input means, andmay be capable of storing personal information such as the card owner'sname, address, date of birth, signature, and likeness, as well as theclient's social security number. The UET card may also be capable ofstoring the client's employee number (if applicable), insurance policynumber or numbers for various type of insurance, club membership accountnumbers, credit card company account numbers for a variety of creditcard companies, automatic banking numbers for one or more bank accounts,and any other financial or personal transactional information. The UETcard may also be capable of processing transactional information andcommunicating with central processing units or computers operated by theproviders of services, such as credit card institutions, banks, healthcare providers, retailers, wholesalers or other providers of goods orservices. The UET card may also be capable of communicating withpersonal computers, including those used by retailers (point of salecomputers), and personal computers used in other business applicationsor at home. For example, a person may use a single electronictransaction device to conduct financial transactions relating to severalcredit, debit, or deposit accounts, such as accounts normally associatedwith VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, or ATM (AutomaticTeller Machine) banking transactions.

The term “electronic transaction device” as used herein is not limitedto a UET Card. In addition to UET Cards, other devices are known whichmay be used to conduct electronic transactions. Also, known generalpurpose hand held computers maybe programmed to conduct electronictransactions. These hand held computers typically use operating systemssuch as, but not limited to, Palm OS or Microsoft Windows CE. It iscontemplated that these hand held computers may be adapted to beelectronic transaction devices with appropriate programming.

An electronic transaction device allows a client to customize and addfunctionality to the device as per the client's own specificrequirements. The electronic transaction device may be an “InformationOrganizer,” which in the present environment goes beyond conventionalpersonal information managers. The electronic transaction device allowsthe client to store, organize and efficiently use personal information,account information, and transactional information.

While these electronic transaction devices have many advantages,including the advantage of combining numerous accounts into a singledevice, electronic transaction devices do not necessarily reduce thenumber of service institutions with which the person transacts tomaintain the accounts. Rather, known electronic transaction devices mayrequire a client to communicate with each service institution on anindependent basis. Also, there may be an instance where a client wishesto continue using a conventional plastic card, yet have additionalaccess and control over account information.

Vendors and clients are also believed to value and collect informationabout each other. Information that vendors are believed to valueincludes information about their customers, such as their preferences,requirements and needs. Approaches like database marketing, relationshipmarketing, permission marketing, and loyalty programs have evolved overtime with the overall objective to allow vendors to gather as muchinformation about their potential market as possible, in turn to sellmore of their goods and services. For example, vendors may use personalinformation during direct marketing campaigns (for example, direct mail,telemarketing, or e-mail), or to judge the efficiency of ongoingmarketing campaigns with regard to a particular market (for example,advertisements directed to all VISA cardholders).

Despite the value of the information to the vendor, the client typicallyreceives nothing in return for the information that the clientsurrendered during a transaction or inquiry. Thus, many clients maydecline to provide requested information, which may in turn degrade theoverall marketing effectiveness of the vendor and the satisfaction ofthe end customer.

Clients may wish to have additional controls over the release ofpersonal information and account information to various vendors. Aclient's control over the release of personal information and accountinformation may be required to counteract the extensive efforts andpractices of vendors and merchants to obtain information about theirmarkets. Efforts to collect information may include, for example,computer servers that publish Web pages on the Internet which may recordthe identities of persons viewing information regarding a service orproduct, and place “cookies,” files identifying when a person visited aWeb page, on computers of persons viewing a Web page. Also, telephonecalls to service centers may record the telephone number, by way of“Caller ID,” as well as the address from which the person called.Accordingly, simply inquiring about a service or product may result in aperson unknowingly or unintentionally disclosing personal informationwithout any benefit to that person.

Information gathering may also occur during transactions. When using aconventional plastic credit card to purchase goods or services, at aminimum the client must disclose his or her name, service institution,and account number. Often times, additional information, such as anaddress, telephone number, credit card expiration date, etc. isrequested from the client before a transaction is completed.

Clients, like the vendors, may also value information. Information thatclients are believed to value includes information about products andservices that service institutions and/or vendors have to offer. Forexample, clients may be interested in airline flight schedules andavailable fares to a given airline. A client's access to suchinformation is now greatly increase with the advent of telephone callcenters and Internet Web pages. However, traditional guards orprotectors of privacy have been let down and redefined, creating acertain sense of insecurity. Furthermore, clients have at leastpartially lost control over their own information. For example, simplycalling a vendor to inquire on prices and availability of a product mayresult in an unintentional disclosure (through caller identificationinformation) of the caller's name, address, and telephone number. Also,many Web pages deny access to information regarding a vendor's productsor services if a client attempts to control the release of informationby prohibiting “cookies” on the client's personal computer. Therefore,an impasse may result when a vendor requires more information than aclient is willing to release. Such an impasse benefits neither theclient nor the vendor.

Many clients want tighter control over their personal information,allowing them to obtain the highest benefit for a disclosure ofinformation when it comes to dealing with the vendors, allowing only somuch information to be disclosed for the product or service they desire.Accordingly, there is a need for a service that allows a more efficientuse of information, especially as a bargaining tool for better and/orless costly services and products.

Furthermore, currently the vendors have superior information in manyrespects to the information accessible by the client. The vendors mayhave sources of information about their market coming from direct orindirect surveys, buying pattern analysis, transaction records andanalysis, credit ratings and bureaus, patterns of Web pages visited andpurchases made through Web pages, to name a few. Clients would benefitfrom access to similar information to “level the playing field.”

SUMMARY

What is needed is a transaction service provider positioned between aclient and a vendor. The transaction service provider could retrieveinformation, or negotiate for goods or services, from a vendor based onlimited information extracted from the client's confidential personal,account, or transactional information, without disclosing the client'sidentity. Such a transaction service provider would be able to provideaccurate and detailed information that the vendors value, whilemaintaining confidentiality of additional client information.

A transaction service provider, especially, although not necessarily, inconjunction with an electronic transaction device, allows a client tointeract with service institutions and vendors conveniently, securely,and, if desired, anonymously, with less paperwork and more value addedservices.

In one embodiment of the invention, a service transaction provider foradministering a plurality of accounts for a client, includes a computer,having a processor, a data storage medium, and a network port. Thestorage medium is configured to store the clients' personal information,account information, and transactional information. The processorconfigured to create a database of client information including theclient's personal information, account information corresponding to aplurality of accounts associated with the client, and transactionalinformation corresponding to a plurality of transactions conducted bythe client; designate as confidential a predetermined first portion ofthe database client information; designate as non-confidential apredetermined second portion of the database of client informationnon-confidential; and provide the client with access to the first andsecond portions of the database of client information via the networkport.

In an additional embodiment of the transaction service provider, thestorage medium is further configured to store information correspondingto a plurality of vendors and the processor is further configured tocreate a database of vendor information; receive a transaction requestfrom a client; analyze information in the database of vendorinformation; analyze information in the database of client information;and provide a suggested transaction to the client based on theinformation in the database of vendor information and the database ofclient information. The processor may be further configured to establishcommunication with a vendor via the network port; disclose informationfrom the predetermined second portion of the database of clientinformation to the vendor; receive information from the vendor; andprovide information received from the vendor to the client. Theprocessor may be further configured to establish a communications with aservice institution via the network port; receive transactionalinformation corresponding to the client from the service institution;and add the transactional information received from the serviceinstitution to the database of client information. The processor may befurther configured to establish communication with the client via thenetwork port; receive information from the client; and add theinformation received from the client to the database of clientinformation. The processor may be further configured to reconcileinformation received from the service institution with informationreceived from the client.

A method for using an electronic transaction device with an electronictransaction service provider may include the steps of registering theelectronic transaction device with the electronic transaction deviceservice provider, registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to aplurality of service institutions, providing a data connection betweenthe electronic transaction device and the electronic transaction deviceservice provider, and storing account information for a plurality ofservice institutions at the electronic transaction device serviceprovider. The step of registering the electronic transaction device mayinclude registering a client associated with the electronic transactiondevice with the electronic transaction service provider, collecting andstoring personal information from the client, setting up a file on theclient and initiating use of the electronic transaction device,archiving the client's password, and archiving the client's data storedon the electronic transaction device. The step of registering theplurality of accounts may include storing account information, storingtransactional information, including archiving transactional informationolder than a predetermined date, and reconciling transactionalinformation with corresponding service institutions.

The step of registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to aplurality of service institutions may also include the steps of storingaccount information in the database of client information; storingtransactional information; and reconciling transactional informationreceived from the electronic transaction device with transactionalinformation received from the plurality of service institutions.

The method for using an electronic transaction device with an electronictransaction service provider may also include the steps of providingaccess to a database of client information to the client and analyzingtransactional information in the database of client information for aplurality of accounts. The method for using an electronic transactiondevice with an electronic transaction service provider may also includethe steps of designating a portion of the client databasenon-confidential; analyzing the portion of the client databasedesignated as non-confidential for preferences and patterns; andproviding analyzed transactional information to a plurality of vendors.

As used herein, the term “service institution” includes any business,service, governmental agency, or other entity, which issues any type ofcard commonly carried by an individual for the purposes ofidentification, credit transactions, bank transactions, frequenttraveler rewards transactions, licensing, registration or similarfunctions. Examples of service institutions include, but are not limitedto, Banks & Financial Institutions, Health Services, Hospitals andrelated Organizations, Manufacturers, Vendors, Merchants and RetailOutlets, and Various Government Agencies and other institutions, such asUniversities etc. In a healthcare embodiment, “service institutions” mayinclude pharmacies, laboratories, and insurance companies, or any otherentity with which a physician or other healthcare provider may useprofessionally. “Vendors,” as used herein, means any seller of goodsand/or provider of services. This is a broad term, including, but notlimited to, various retailers, service providers, such as health care,insurance, and communication service providers, airlines, etc. A“service institution,” may also be a “vendor,” and vice-versa. Forexample, a department store is a vendor. Also, the department store mayissue credit cards to its customers, in which case it would also be aservice institution.

The information stored, transmitted, or received by the electronictransaction device may include personal information of the client of theelectronic transaction device. It may also include account informationfor each service institution with which the client has an account. Asused herein, the term “account information” includes any identifyingdesignation which identifies the electronic transaction device clientwith a service institution, including but not limited to the client'sname, address, phone number, social security number, credit card accountnumbers, bank account numbers, investment account numbers, licensenumbers, identification numbers, insurance account numbers, medicalidentification numbers, and the like. In a health care embodiment,“account information” may include information relating to patients of aphysician or other health care provider.

The information stored, transmitted, or received by the electronictransaction device may also include transactional information foraccounts with service institutions in which the electronic transactiondevice client has an account. As used herein, the term “transactionalinformation” includes one or more individual financial transactions,such as credit card transactions, investment transactions, medicaltreatments, medical payments, insurance payments, and the like.Transactional information may include, but is not limited to,information such as a subtotal, tax, tip gratuity, date, vendor, animage of the receipt, and an image of the client's signature.Transactional information may also include a description of goods orservices purchased, including a vendor's stockkeeping codes. In a healthcare embodiment, “transactional information” may include informationregarding the care of a patient, such as office visits, treatmentsgiven, medication prescribed, payments for treatments, and the like.

The electronic transaction device may also be used to conducttransactions involving promotional information. As used herein,“promotional information” includes advertisements, electronic facsimilesof coupons, and usage incentives such as frequent flier miles, cash backrebates, or any of various incentive programs offered by credit cardissuers.

An electronic transaction device may also be used to conducttransactions involving stored cash value information. As used herein,“stored cash value information” includes information relating to a cashbalance which may be stored on the electronic transaction device,credits or debits to the cash balance, a traveler's checks balance whichmay be stored on the electronic transaction device, credits or debits tothe traveler's check balance and graphical images of variousdenominations of currency and traveler's checks.

An electronic transaction device 12 may also be used to conducttransactions involving government entitlement programs. For example,food stamps, veteran's benefits, or other entitlements may be stored onthe electronic transaction device 12. The governmental agency issuing anentitlement could limit use of the benefits to certain stores or goodsor services.

The transaction service provider is not limited to “clients” beingconsumers with credit card accounts. Transaction service providers areapplicable to other fields, such as healthcare. In such an embodiment,the “client” may be a physician or other healthcare provider who usesthe transaction service provider to administer healthcare transactionsinvolving a plurality of patient accounts.

The foregoing advantages are some examples of the advantages provided bythe present invention, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Specificexamples of the implementation of the invention are shown in thedrawings and are discussed herein. Those examples are intended provideexamples of the invention, not to limit it. The scope of the inventionis expressed in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system involving an electronictransaction device service provider.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one example of a transaction serviceprovider in combination with a transaction environment.

FIG. 3 is another block diagram of an example of a transaction serviceprovider in combination with a transaction environment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a transaction serviceprovider.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a client interaction portion of an exampleof a transaction service provider.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a vendor interaction portion of an exampleof a transaction service provider.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another portion of an example of atransaction service provider.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of examples of steps of interaction conducted bya transaction service provider.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of examples of steps of vendor interactionconducted by a transaction service provider.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of examples of steps conducted by a transactionservice provider.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of the steps to issue a secondarycard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a transaction service provider 10 is illustrated inFIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the transaction serviceprovider provides an interface between the clients and the serviceinstitutions.

A plurality of electronic transaction devices 12 is coupled to network14 a. The electronic transaction device 12 may be a UET Card. Theelectronic transaction device 12 may be provided with interfaces tocommunicate with personal computers, printers, point of sale terminals,ATMs, and additional devices, through various means, including, but notlimited to, conventional magnetic and bar code displays and readers,smart card (ICC) readers, infrared (such as an IrDA standard) orProximity RF transceivers. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,038.From a physical connectivity standpoint, the plurality of electronictransaction devices 12 could be coupled to the Network 14 a using any orall of these communication interfaces. For example, an electronictransaction device 12 could be directly coupled to the transactionservice provider thought network 14 a. Alternatively, an electronictransaction device 12 may be coupled indirectly, through a personalcomputer 16 (FIG. 3) and then through the network 14 a. The network 14 acould be any of the prevailing Public Switched Telephone Networks(PSTN), Public Switched Data Networks (PSDN), Virtual Private Networks(VPN), Wireless Networks etc., or any other network which allows dial upfacilities or/and digital packet switching as per existing protocols andstandards.

Additionally, electronic transaction devices 12 may communicate directlyto each other via the described interfaces and exchange designatedinformation. For example, one electronic transaction device 12 maydirectly transfer stored cash value or account information to anotherelectronic transaction device 12 via an infra-red port.

In another example, an electronic transaction device 12 may be used asan intermediary to conduct a transaction. In this example, a client maywish to pay for a restaurant bill with a credit card account on anelectronic transaction device 12. Rather than requesting that the clientphysically hand over the electronic transaction device to complete thetransaction, a restaurant server may present the bill on anotherelectronic transaction device 12. After reviewing the bill, the clientmay select a credit card account on the client's electronic transactiondevice 12 and transmit the account information to the restaurantserver's electronic transaction device 12. The restaurant server maythen authenticate the account information and the transaction at therestaurant's POS terminal 20, and return an electronic receipt of thetransaction to the client's electronic transaction device 12. The clientmay then sign the electronic receipt on the client's electronictransaction device 12 and return transmit the signed receipt to therestaurant server's electronic transaction device 12. As an added safetymeasure, the client's account number may be automatically deleted fromthe restaurant server's electronic transaction device after apredetermined period of time or when the signed electronic receiptentered in the restaurant's POS terminal 20.

In another example, the electronic transaction device may be configuredas an access device. It is known for employers to issue access cards,rather than keys, to employees to allow secure access by employees torestricted areas. This function may be added to an electronictransaction device 12.

A plurality of service institutions 18 and vendors 19 are connected tothe transaction service provider by network 14 b. Network 14 b, likenetwork 14 a, could be any or all of the PSTN, PSDN, VPN, WirelessNetworks, or any other network which allows dial up facilities or/anddigital packet switching as per existing protocols and standards.Network 14 b may be, but is not necessarily the same as Network 14 a.For example, if a given service institution uses a PSDN for network 14b, one client may use a PSTN for network 14 a, another client may usewireless telephony or PCS communications for network 14 a, while a thirdclient may use a PSDN for network 14 a.

The transaction device service provider 10 may be accessed by a clienthaving an electronic transaction device 12 as follows. The clientestablishes a data connection between the electronic transaction device12 and the transaction service provider 10 via network 14 a. Asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,038, a variety of interfaces may beused to assist in establishing a data connection with an electronictransaction device 12, such as infra-red wireless, radio frequencywireless, and metallic contact wire-based interfaces. The transactionservice provider 10 includes means for storing information, such asknown magnetic optical, and electronic storage media.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in combination with a known transaction environment used byservice institutions. Networks 14 a and 14 b are illustrated as a singlenetwork 14. Network 14 is connected to the transaction service provider,a plurality of service institutions, and a plurality of Point of Sale(“POS”) terminals 20. POS terminals, as the term is used herein, refersto terminals used by service institutions to conduct transactionsincluding, but not limited to, vendor operated sales terminals, such asthe card readers found at grocery stores, automatic teller machines(“ATMs”), filling station fuel pumps, governmental agency terminals,such as those which may be used by Motor Vehicle Inspectors, highwaytoll booths, or any other terminal equipment related to a serviceinstitution or vendor. A Point of Sale terminal 20 may also comprise anelectronic commerce server connected to the Internet.

A plurality of electronic transaction devices 12 may connect to thenetwork 14 or directly to POS terminal 20. Connecting an electronictransaction device 12 to a POS terminal 20, for example, would allow theclient to conduct a transaction, such as making a purchase from a vendorusing a service institution account, such as MasterCard, Visa card,American Express, Diners Club, Discover card, or other credit or debitcard. The connection may be established with infra-red wireless, radiofrequency wireless, metallic contact, bar code reader-display, magneticstripe, or other suitable data exchange medium. In addition,conventional plastic cards may be used at the POS terminal 20.

Coupling an electronic transaction device 12 to the network 14 wouldallow the electronic transaction device 12 to communicate informationwith the transaction service provider. This communication of informationwould complete a loop between the client and the POS terminals providedby the various service institutions, and the transaction serviceprovider. Also, a vendor's POS terminal 20 may be accessed by theelectronic transaction device 12 via network 14, such as a purchasethrough an Internet Web page.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the transaction serviceprovider 10 is illustrated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, atransaction service provider 10 includes a network of e-Commerce serversand databases, with support network and connectivity equipment. Asuitable e-Commerce server may include a general purpose computer,including a processor, a data storage medium, and a network port. Asused herein; the indefinite article “a” means one or more unlessspecifically indicated otherwise. For example, “a processor” may includea plurality of processors. The transaction service provider includes ane-Commerce server 22, transaction service provider archive 24, ainternal server 26 and internal database 28. The e-Commerce server 22may be physically combined on the same server with the internal server26. Also, the transaction service provider archive 24 may be combinedwith the internal database 28. However, much of the information handledby transaction service provider is confidential. Accordingly, it may bedesirable to employ physically and/or logically separate servers anddatabases to facilitate the inclusion of security firewalls 30. Forexample, in the illustrated example, a first firewall 30 may be includedbetween the network 14 and the e-Commerce server 22, and a secondfirewall 30 may be included between the e-Commerce server 22 and theinternal server 26.

The e-Commerce server 22 may be a conventional network server. Thee-Commerce server 22 includes a network port which allows both theelectronic transaction device 12 and the service institutions to connectto the service institution 18 through network 14. The e-Commerce server22 handles the bulk of the interfacing with the electronic transactiondevices and/or personal computers and the service institutions. Thetransaction service provider archive 24 may be stored on any suitabledata storage medium, including, but not limited to, magnetic or opticaldisk drives, magnetic tape drive, solid-state memory, or any othersuitable means for storing information. Transaction service providerarchive 24 is a database of personal, account, transactional, and/orpromotional information. A portion of the database of personal, account,transactional, and/or promotional information corresponding to a givenclient may be accessed by an electronic transaction device 12 registeredto that client through the transaction service provider. Alternatively,the client may use a personal computer 16 to access the transactionservice provider archive 24. In addition, the transaction serviceprovider may have access to information in the transaction serviceprovider archive 24 corresponding to a plurality of clients, subject torestrictions on use of that information as may be designated by eachindividual client.

The internal server provides backend processing for support functionsincluding Customer Service, Operations Management, Accounting, Marketing& Advertising, and various other Business Processes. The internal server26 and the internal database 28 are generally not accessible byelectronic transaction devices.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the e-Commerce server 22 of thetransaction service provider 10 is also connected to a bankingenvironment through a firewall 30. In this illustrated example, a POSterminal 20 is connected through a firewall 30 and a payment gateway 32to an acquiring bank 34. Acquiring bank 34 is connected to a bankingnetwork 36. Additional banks 38 are connected to the banking network.The transaction service provider 10 is connected to the bankingenvironment through at least one of the banks through the firewall 30.

In this example, an electronic transaction device 12 maybe used at thePOS terminal 20, in this case, an ATM. In other examples, conventionalplastic credit cards or ATM cards may be used at the POS terminal 20.Transaction and account information is then transmitted from the POSterminal 20 via the service institutions to the transaction serviceprovider 10.

In this manner, electronic transaction devices, conventional creditcards, or a combination of the two, may be used to conduct additionaltransactions with the same or additional vendors. Also, the client mayuse a number of different accounts to conduct transactions. For example,the client may use a conventional card at an ATM then use and anelectronic transaction device 12 to charge an airline ticket to aselected credit account and credit frequent flyer miles to the user'sairline frequent flier account. The transaction and account informationfor each transaction may then be forwarded by the respective serviceinstitution handling the transaction to the transaction service provider10.

In the example of transactions involving use of an electronictransaction device 12, the transactional information is also recorded bythe electronic transaction device 12. The transactional information mayor may not include an authorization from the service institution 18corresponding to the selected account codes or confirmation code. Theinformation stored on the electronic transaction device 12 may then bereconciled with the information recorded by the transaction serviceprovider 10 by establishing communication between the electronictransaction device 12 and the transaction service provider 10. Anyconfirmations or authorizations of previous transactions may be added tothe electronic transaction device as well. In the illustrated example,communications are established through a personal computer 16 andnetwork 14. However, electronic transaction devices may be configuredwith appropriate communications circuits to allow direct connection toany of the embodiments of network 14.

In the example of transactions involving conventional plastic cards, thetransaction service provider 10 records and stores transactioninformation for a plurality of transactions occurring on a plurality ofaccounts. Accordingly, a client who uses conventional cards has thebenefit of consolidated reporting of transactions without carrying anelectronic transaction device 12.

The transaction service provider 10 may request personal information,such as a client's name, address, telephone number, and otheridentifying information. The transaction service provider 10 may set upa file on the client and initiate use of the transaction serviceprovider 10 and, optionally, an electronic transaction device 12 and/orconventional plastic credit cards or other accounts.

For a registered client, the transaction service provider 10 may archivea list of the client's passwords (or any other security codes) for theclient's electronic transaction device 12 and store the client'spersonal information. The transaction service provider 10 may alsoarchive additional personal information, such as address and contactlists, calendars, to-do lists, and other software and/or databases whichthe client may have installed on the electronic transaction device 12.

The transaction service provider archive 24 stores information relatingto a plurality of clients. The information includes, but is not limitedto, personal, financial, account, transactional, personal preferences,and promotional information. Examples of the information include:

-   a) Personal    -   1. Name    -   2. Address—Home, Work    -   3. Telephone—Home, Work    -   4. Social Security    -   5. Date of Birth    -   6. Marital Status    -   7. Drivers License, Insurance Cards, Employer Identification        Cards etc.    -   8. Number of Children and other family details-   b) Financial    -   1. Credit Card, Debit Card, Cash Cards etc.    -   2. Income—Information regarding various sources etc.    -   3. Bank Accounts—Information regarding the different Banks, the        different types of accounts, Balances etc.    -   4. Payment Information—Mortgages, Loans, Bills etc.    -   5. Investment Information—Stocks, Bonds, Equity, Real Estate        etc.    -   6. Transaction Information—Amounts, Form of Payment, Date of        Transactions, Details on Purchases etc.-   c) Health    -   1. Gender, Height, Weight, Blood Group, Color-Hair, Skin, Eyes        etc.    -   2. Medical Profile—Detail information regarding past and present        medical history which would include various surgeries done,        prescribed medications, past illnesses and ailments, allergies,        ongoing medication and treatment, hereditary or genetic        concerns, family history, etc.    -   3. Name and other contact details of doctors—Personal        Physicians, Specialists etc.    -   4. Name and other details regarding the Clinics, Hospitals,        Emergency Services and Laboratories previously visited, and/or        preferred for future needs-   d) Information Manager    -   1. Appointments    -   2. Address and telephone book    -   3. To Do lists    -   4. Memos and notes-   e) Miscellaneous    -   1. Preferences—Likes and dislikes, certain products and services        required on an ongoing basis etc.    -   2. Insurance providers, Telephone companies—local, long distance        and wireless, Hotels, Airlines, Auto Rental companies, Retail        outlets and Merchants, Club Memberships—previously used and/or        preferred for future needs    -   3. Family details, Birth dates etc.

The transaction service provider 10 may also facilitate applying for newaccounts from service institutions 18, or renewing existing accounts.The client may download new account applications from the transactionservice provider 10. The client would then send the new application, orrequest for renewal, to the transaction service provider 10, which wouldthen contact the corresponding service institution 18. Once theapplication or renewal is approved, the transaction service provider 10would notify the client, and the client would be able to download theaccount information necessary to use the new or renewed account.

Alternatively, the transaction service provider 10 may assume some orall of the functions of a service institution and issue credit cards orother accounts.

Referring now to FIG. 4, various client services and products may beoffered by the transaction service provider 10, either independently orthrough a partnering service institution. A “partnering serviceinstitution” means an institution that provides a portion of theservices associated with a given account. In the example of a creditcard, a service institution may be MASTER CARD. A partnering serviceinstitution may be an issuing bank that issues MASTER CARD accounts,such as CITIBANK. The client services may include personal services 40,financial services 42, shopping and purchasing services 44, healthservices 46, and miscellaneous services 48.

Personal services 40 include privacy, shielding, new device, newaccount, account removal, device removal, lost card, lost device, resumecard, resume device, awards and promotions, bill paying, transactionrecords and data management, analysis and consultation, and groupingservices.

Privacy services include maintaining the confidentiality of allinformation that the transaction service provider 10 has access toregarding their clients. Controlled and partial access to thisinformation would only be given to the service institutions on priorconsent by the client to fulfill a specific objective, such asconducting a purchase or obtaining a service on behalf of thetransaction service provider 10 client.

Shielding services include restricting and controlling access toclients' information from the various service institutions and vendors.

New device services include issuing a new electronic transaction device12 to a client. Issuing a new electronic transaction device 12 wouldinclude issuing the device hardware and/or setting up the variousinterfaces and applications for the client, which in turn would includethe registration of the new client, creation and storage of passwordsetc.

Issue account services include activating specific accounts, such ascredit cards, on an electronic transaction device 12. The applicationfor new cards from the issuing banks and service institutions may beprovided by the transaction service provider 10, or alternately by theissuing service institution. Once the application has been approved bythe issuing service institution, the specific card(s) may be downloadedfrom the transaction service provider 10 to the electronic transactiondevice 12.

Issue account services may also include activating a sub-account for aparticular account. The sub-account may have limits imposed by a client.For example, a client may wish to allow a child to have use of a certaincredit card account. The transaction service provider 10 may downloadthe appropriate account information into a electronic transaction device12 assigned to the child. Furthermore, the client may wish to imposepreset spending limits on the child's use of the sub-account. The clientmay designate with the transaction service provider 10 that thesub-account be used no more than given number of times per week, or setspending limits per transaction or per a given timeframe, or authorizeonly certain types of transactions (e.g., gasoline and grocerypurchases, but not department store purchases).

Account removal services include removing a particular account, such asa credit card (and freezing the various services associated with thatparticular card) from an electronic transaction device 12. Deviceremoval services include terminating all services associated with anelectronic transaction device 12.

Lost electronic transaction device services include freezing allservices in the event of a lost device. Resume Services include settingup a new electronic transaction device 12 and resumption of theservices.

Awards & Promotions services include offering and allowing the client todownload various awards and promotions based on their transactions andrecords. In one example, electronic coupons may be downloaded. Thesepromotions may be offered directly by the service institutions andvendors. Alternatively, promotions may be offered directly to theclients by the transaction service provider 10.

Bill paying services include the transaction service provider 10 payingthe client's bills, based on an independent arrangement. Thisarrangement at times may be in terms of offering a better interest rateand payment plan compared to the Service Institutions, an insurance planagainst unemployment, theft etc. or simply a service for their client'sconvenience.

Transaction Records & Data Management services include creating adatabase of transaction records, and allowing access to the transactionservice provider clients. For example, a client could access thedatabase corresponding to the client and request all transactionsconcerning a given vendor. The transaction service provider 10 wouldreturn all transactions concerning that vendor for all accountsregistered with the transaction service provider 10.

Analysis & Consultation Services include offering transaction serviceprovider clients analysis and consultations based on their transactionrecords and history. Such services may include, for example,professional services such as tax and accounting services.

Financial services 42 include banking services, retail services,investment services, and insurance services.

Banking Services include e-Banking, e-Cash, e-Check, Bill payments,Loans, Mortgages, and Tax Services. Retail Services include Credit Cards(MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diners Club etc.),Purchases, Loyalty, Rewards. Investment Services include Stocks, Bonds,Portfolio Management. Insurance Services include insurance for Auto,Home, Life, Business.

Shopping and purchasing services 44, also referred to as “customeragent” services, include matching, identifying, purchasing, negotiatingand analytic services.

Matching Services include matching a client's specific requirement withthe various vendor or Service Institutions offerings. For example, if aclient wishes to buy a refrigerator, the client may engage the matchingservice of the transaction service provider 10. The transaction serviceprovider 10 would then contact the various vendors that sellrefrigerators and collect the information, including model designationsand prices for the client, and in turn provide that information to theclient. The transaction service provider 10 may suggest the best bargainfor the client in terms of the preferences detailed by the client, withan emphasis on cost, features, warranty etc.

When the transaction service provider 10 contacts the vendors, it mayrelease certain information selected by the client to enhance thequality of the responses, and withhold other information. In the exampleof the refrigerator, the client may authorize the release of informationsuch as the number of persons living in the client's household. Thisinformation may assist the vendor in suggesting an appropriately-sizedmodel for the client to purchase. However, the transaction serviceprovider 10 would not disclose other personal information, such as theclient's name, address, or telephone number.

This service would be extended to all products and services offered bythe service institutions associated with the transaction serviceprovider 10. In another example, a client may wish to negotiate airfareto a selected destination. To enhance his or her bargaining power, theclient may authorize the disclosure of his or her travel history forduring the previous year. A particular carrier may value the repeatbusiness that the client has given the airline in the past and may wishto offer a special fare to retain that loyal client rather than losethat client to another airline. The transaction service provider 10 canuse the client's travel history as a bargaining tool without disclosureof the client's identity. Thus, the transaction service provider 10 actsas the Customer's Agent, negotiating for information to conductpurchases on behalf of the client without revealing the clients identityto the vendor until the actual purchase is finalized.

Additional services of the shopping and purchasing services includeidentifying goods and services, purchasing goods and services,negotiating terms, such as quantity discounts, payment terms, etc.,custom design and particular requirements, analytic services, such asreports on products and services by consumer advocacy groups,independent reports and analysis etc.

Health Services include compiling a health profile, including historyand data. Health services also include conducting hospital interactionsfor the purposes of updating medical history, bill payments, medicalinsurance etc., HMO interactions, Emergency Services—Ambulance, PersonalPhysician etc., interactions with Insurance Companies, Drug Stores &Pharmacies.

Miscellaneous Services include government services, educationalservices, telecom services, transportation services, weather services,including emergency notification of dangerous weather events, andspecial events.

Government Services include Department of Motor Vehicle services,Passport and Visa, services, IRS and Tax related services, SocialSecurity and Welfare services, etc.

Educational Services include School and College relatedinformation—registration, course selection, tuition payment plans andarrangements, library resources etc.

Telecom Services include Service provider selection, Net Access, Billingand Conflict resolution, Custom Services etc.

Transportation services include Gas, Parking, Toll, Violation/TicketPayments, Car rentals—reservations, payments, coupons etc., AirlineServices—Reservations, Ticketing, Check In, Frequent Flier and BonusMiles etc., Hotel Reservations, Restaurant—Suggestions and Reservations.

Based on the profile created and various services offered by thetransaction service provider 10, the transaction service provider 10 isin the unique position to safeguard the interests of the clients byisolating their identity from the vendors, and at the same time givingthe clients access to the products, services, promotions and advertisingthey desire.

The transaction service provider 10 also addresses the interests of thevendors. Again, since the transaction service provider 10 is in theunique position, where it has access to the information designatednon-confidential by a plurality of clients, the transaction serviceprovider 10 can offer the vendors services such as customer acquisitionservices 50, target marketing services 52, marketing research services,54, and inter-vendor collaboration services 56.

Customer Acquisition Services 50 include matching up clients with avendor's goods or services. Since the transaction service provider 10would have a very comprehensive profile on their clients, they are inthe unique position to offer vendors a steady flow of customers fortheir products and services. Considering the time and resources thevendors commit to develop a loyal customer base, this service wouldprove invaluable.

Target Marketing Services 52 include assisting vendors in targeting awell-focused market. The transaction service provider 10 is also in aposition to assist the vendors in targeting their marketing effortsbased on the client profile information the transaction service provider10 has access to, considerably reducing the efforts directed towards“non-existing” markets by the vendors and increasing their overallprofitability.

Marketing Research Services 54 include assisting a vendor in providingappropriate goods and services. Based on the fact that the transactionservice provider 10 has a comprehensive profile on their clients, whichincludes detail preferences, likes-dislikes etc., the transactionservice provider 10 can assist their partnering vendors in developingbetter products and custom tailored services.

Inter-Vendor Collaboration Services 56 include matching vendors andservice institutions. Apart from a large client base, the transactionservice provider 10 will also have a large number of serviceinstitutions and vendors as registered members, with a comprehensiveprofile on their products and services. This would allow the transactionservice provider 10 to act as a “catalyst” for the Service Institutionsfor the purposes of forming alliances, mergers or possibly evenacquisitions, to offer better products and services to their customers.

Considering the sensitivity surrounding the nature of informationregarding their clients and service institutions that the transactionservice provider 10 will have access to, it is of paramount importancethat confidentiality be maintained. The only client information that thetransaction service provider 10 will release to the vendors will bepre-approved by the clients, and with the objective of providing abetterproduct or service. This information surrounding the clients may bedistributed into three categories, profiles, transaction recordanalysis, and preferences.

Regarding the profiles category, this is the information compiled by thetransaction service provider 10 on their clients through directmeans—interactive questionnaires, surveys, interviews, throughpre-approved external agencies etc. With respect to Transaction RecordsAnalysis, this is the information compiled by the transaction serviceprovider 10 through analysis of its client's records, buying patternsand frequency, preferences based on these analysis etc. Regardingpreferences, this is the information compiled by the transaction serviceprovider 10 through preferences, like and dislikes etc., specified bythe client.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portion of one example of the transactionservice provider 10 system dealing with the client-side informationconsolidation process is illustrated. Clients, both electronictransaction device clients and conventional card clients, may connect tothe transaction service provider 10 through the network 14. Thetransaction service provider 10 collects information regarding theclient as set forth above. The transaction service provider 10 may usean expert system 60 to analyze clients' personal, transactional, andaccount information. Information input to such a client dataconsolidation expert system 60 may include Registration & InitializationInformation 62, Client Profile Information 64, Transaction & RecordsAnalysis Information 66, and Specific Flag Information 68, such asPrivacy and Secrecy Specifications, Special Preferences, etc.

Apart from these inputs, the other information being fed into the ClientData Consolidation expert system 60 may include Direct Input 70 specificinstructions from the client and Consolidated Input 72 from the serviceinstitutions and vendors. For instance, the Registration Information 62would be compiled based on surveys and interviews, the complete ClientProfile 64 compiled using information from external agencies, over andabove the direct information provided by the clients. The Transactionand Records Analysis 66 conducted by the transaction service provider 10would be offered as a service to the client in the desired form andformat, and would also be fed back into the expert system to form aninput to the overall service offerings to the clients by the transactionservice provider 10. The Specific Flag Information 68 and Direct Input70 by the clients form the preferences outlined by the clients. Theconsolidated input from the Service Institutions, may includeinformation about the vendors that would affect the overall clientprofile, and consequently the services offered to the clients. Theoutput of this client data consolidation expert system 60 may beprovided as an input to a knowledge-based system 74 of the transactionservice provider 10, which would eventually decide the services beingoffered to the Clients and the Service Institutions 76. As shown in FIG.5, the client data consolidation expert system is preferably isolatedfrom the other processes to ensure the confidentiality of designatedconfidential information by the clients.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a portion of one example of the transactionservice provider 10 system relating to the vendor data consolidationprocess is illustrated. The transaction service provider 10 may useanother expert system 78 to perform the vendor data consolidation. Theexpert system collects and assembles a complete profile on the serviceinstitutions and vendors through various sources, may include profileinformation 80, products & services information 82, marketing &advertising information 84, information in terms of future releases ofproducts and services 86 (e.g., “Future Attractions”).

This information would be compiled from the service institutions 18 andvendors 19. The complete profile may be provided as another input to theknowledge-based system 74, which would eventually determine the servicesoffered to the client, service institutions and vendors. Two sourceswhich form a direct input to the knowledge-based system 74 are theservices and products subscribed by the clients which the ServiceInstitutions are committed to provide directly to the clients 88 (e.g.Credit Card services—If a client has applied to Citibank for aMasterCard, Citibank is obligated to provide this service to the client.The interfaces for this credit card would be downloaded onto theelectronic transaction device 12 by the client from the transactionservice provider 10. The transaction service provider 10 provides theinitiation, registration and maintenance of the account, tracking andstoring all transactions, and forms the intermediary as discussed beforebetween Citibank and the clients). The other illustrated input sourcesare the promotions, awards offered by the Service Institutions directlyto the clients 90 (e.g. Frequent flyer miles offered by AmericanAirlines to a transaction service provider client). Again, thisprocessing environment would be kept isolated from the other transactionservice provider 10 processes.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a complete system, at the center ofwhich is the knowledge-based system. The knowledge based system operatesbased on the various inputs it receives and the guidelines defined bythe transaction service provider charter. The various inputs to theknowledge based system may include the outputs of the Client DataConsolidation & Service Institution Data Consolidation expert systems 60and 78, the respective Archives 24 which store all the relevant ClientData and Service Institution Data, a Customer Service Input 92 whichhandles all direct requests from the clients, all Security guidelines 94ensuring confidentiality and the Services and Products, the Benefits andPromotions offered by the Service Institutions directly to the clients96, and additional services 98 other than those provided by thetransaction service provider 10. The output of the knowledge-basedsystem 74 determines the various services offered by the transactionservice provider 10 to the clients and to the Service Institutions 18.These services include “Match-up” services 99, Analysis and ConsultationServices 100, and Client Data Archives 102. The transaction serviceprovider 10 may also offer promotions and awards 104 based on clienttransaction records, allowing their clients and Service Institutions todownload these awards along with other ongoing services and products.The transaction service provider 10 also provides controlled clientprofiles and requirements to vendors and service institutions 106.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example of steps for initiating a clientand the client's electronic transaction device 12. The steps need not befollowed in the exact order as illustrated. Also, with the exception ofthe first step, the illustrated client interaction steps are equallyapplicable to clients who use conventional plastic cards rather than theillustrated electronic transaction devices. Also, as mentioned earlier,the electronic transaction device 12 may be used to interface with thetransaction service provider 10 and various Service Institution POSTerminals, other Terminal equipment etc.

The first illustrated step, step 110, is send a new electronictransaction device 12 to client. Step 110 is not a prerequisite fortransaction service provider services, and is performed only ifrequested by Client. Additional illustrated steps are step 112, NewClient Initiation & Registration, step 114, Create Initial ClientProfile, and step 116, Offer transaction service provider Products &Services to Clients. Products & Services offered to Clients includePersonal Services, Financial Services, Shopping & Purchasing Services,Health Services, and Miscellaneous Services. Continuing with FIG. 8,step 118 is perform Overall Client & Account Maintenance, step 120 isUpdate Client Profile, and step 122 is Check whether transaction serviceprovider 10 services are canceled. If the services are not canceled,step 124 relating to New Services, Products & Promotions Offered toClients, Based on Client Profile or Direct Client Request may beexecuted. If the services are canceled, step 126, Account TerminationProcedure may be executed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow chart of an example of ServiceInstitution Interaction with the transaction service provider 10 isillustrated. The illustrated steps include step 130, Create InitialService Institution Profile. The profile may include aCompany/Institution Profile, a Products Profile, and a Services Profile.Additional steps include step 132, Offer Products, Services & Promotionsto transaction service provider clients, step 134, perform overalltransaction service provider Client & Account Maintenance, and step 136receive transaction service provider Client Feedback. The feedback mayinclude Existing Products, Services & Promotions, and Custom or SpecialRequests. As a result, Service Institutions Profile may be updated.

Continuing with the steps in FIG. 9, step 138 is Offer transactionservice provider Services to Service Institutions and vendors. Theservices include Customer Acquisition, Target Marketing, MarketingResearch, and Inter-Vendor Collaboration. Step 140 is create NewCustomers for Service Institutions and vendors.

At step 142, the transaction service provider 10 checks whethertransaction service provider services are terminated. If the transactionservice provider services are not terminated, then the step 132 isrepeated. If transaction service provider services are terminated, step144, membership termination procedure is executed.

FIG. 10 outlines an example of transaction service provider serviceflow. The flow chart makes certain assumptions, one of which is that theclient wishes to use an electronic transaction device 12 provided by thetransaction service provider 10. The example also makes the assumptionthat the client wishes to apply for a MasterCard credit card offered byCitibank, and that the Client wishes to purchase a Refrigerator. Arefrigerator is used merely as an example, the service flow wouldessentially remain the same for any other product or service offered bya vendor associated with the transaction service provider 10.

Referring now to FIG. 10, step 150 is new client registration withtransaction service provider 10. Step 152 is new electronic transactiondevice 12 requested by client. Step 154 is client completes credit cardapplication. In this example, the application is for a MasterCard, whichis issued by Citibank. When client application is approved by Citibank,step 156 is transaction service provider 10, notifies client. The clientmay also be notified directly by Citibank.

Step 158 is Citibank MasterCard “Loaded” onto clients electronictransaction device 12 by the transaction service provider 10. Step 160is client profile updated.

Step 162 is information for new refrigerator requested by client. Therequest may be based on the clients' profile, or alternately on directrequest by client. Step 164 is transaction service provider 10 collectsinformation on refrigerators from multiple vendors. Step 166 istransaction service provider 10 analyzes client profile and presents“Best Bargain” and options.

In step 168, Vendors may send additional information,

promotions etc. on “Refrigerators” to the transaction service provider10 as part of ongoing profile update. In step 170, updated informationis sent to client. In step 172, the client makes decision to purchase aparticular refrigerator.

Referring now to FIG. 11, one example of how to issue a secondary card(sub-account) is illustrated. Step 174 is a client requests a secondarycard. Typically, the client is already a user of an electronictransaction device. Step 176 is the transaction service provider 10prompts the client to specify secondary card requirements. Step 178indicates the information required to program the secondary card. Step180 is transaction service provider downloads specifications to thesecondary card. Step 182 is the transaction service provider and cardissuer monitor the activity of the secondary card. Step 184 is aprovision for the transaction service provider 10 to terminate thesecondary card under certain circumstances. Step 186 is the transactionservice provider provides a summary of use of the secondary card to theclient.

In operation, the transaction service provider 10 may make the client'saccount and transactional information available to the client via knowntelephone and computer interfaces. Such interfaces may includeinteractive telephone menu and computer interface. The transactionservice provider 10 may also provide a database of transactionalinformation for a plurality of service institutions and vendors. Thisdatabase enables the client to analyze transactional information acrossaccounts from different service institutions. For example, a client maywish to review all transactions previously designated as “businessexpenses” or “tax deductible.” The transaction service provider 10 couldprovide all transactions from all registered accounts, even fromdifferent service institutions.

With respect to specific types of service institutions, a bank, forexample, the transaction service provider 10 may keep a log of cashtransactions, store and transfer money between accounts, andautomatically pay bills, among other services. With respect to creditcard accounts, for example, the transaction service provider 10 mayupdate credit limit information and calculate remaining credit based ontransactional information.

The transaction service provider 10 may also provide a gateway to otherservice institutions 18. For example, when the client's electronictransaction device 12 is coupled to the transaction service provider 10,a further coupling may be made to service institutions 18 correspondingto the client's accounts, or to vendors from which the client may wishto purchase goods or services.

Security precautions to reduce the potential for electronic transactiondevice 12 misuse may include the transaction service provider 10matching a serial number of the electronic transaction device 12 withthe client's social security number, or some other unique identifier,allowing service institutions 18 to reconcile account and transactionalinformation based on the serial number of the electronic transactiondevice 12, compiling a list of misplaced or stolen electronictransaction devices 12, and locking or deleting personal information,account information, and/or transactional information from misplaced orstolen electronic transaction devices 12.

Promotional information may be downloaded onto the electronictransaction device 12 in several ways. For example, the transactionservice provider 10 may provide a gateway to one or more serviceinstitutions 18. The transaction service provider 10 may also assemblepromotional information from a plurality of service institutions and/orvendors and download the information to the electronic transactiondevice 12. The transaction service provider 10 may also providepromotional information to an electronic transaction device 12independent of any service institutions. Also, vendors may downloadpromotional information to electronic transaction devices from POSterminals 20 during a transaction.

The client may connect the electronic transaction device 12 to thetransaction service provider 10. The connection may be establisheddirectly by the electronic transaction device 12, or through aninterface circuit or personal computer 16.

In another example of account reconciliation, the electronic transactiondevice 12 transmits the transactional information to the transactionservice provider 10, which in turn stores the transactional information.The transaction service provider 10 is then coupled via network 14 toeach service institution 18 corresponding to an account used by theclient to conduct an electronic transaction. The service institutions 18may be coupled one at a time, in series, or simultaneously. Oncecoupled, the transactional information transmitted to the transactionservice provider 10 is compared to the information transmitted to theservice institutions 18 from the point of sale terminals 20. Anydiscrepancies are noted and relayed to the client and the serviceinstitutions 18.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A system for using an electronic transaction devicehaving access to a network and a plurality of point of sale terminals,the electronic transaction device associated with a client and aplurality of service institution accounts, the system comprising: aplurality of service institutions coupled to a network, each serviceinstitution further coupled to the plurality of point of sale terminals.a transaction service provider having a storage medium configured tostore database of client information, including personal information,account information, and transactional information associated with theclient; a network port configured to communicate with a plurality ofelectronic transaction devices and with a plurality of serviceinstitutions; and a processor, configured to: receive transactionalinformation from the electronic transaction device associated with theclient via the network port; store transactional information receivedfrom the electronic transaction device associated with the client in thedatabase of client information; receive transactional informationassociated with the client from the plurality of service institutionsvia the network port; and store the transactional information receivedfrom the plurality of service institutions in the database of clientinformation.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor of thetransaction service provider is further configured to reconciletransactional information received from the electronic transactiondevice with transactional information received from the plurality ofservice institutions.
 22. A system for conducting and reconcilingelectronic transactions, comprising: a plurality of electronictransaction devices, each electronic transaction device having access toa network; a transaction service provider coupled to the network; aplurality of service institutions coupled to the electronic transactiondevice service provider; a plurality of point of sale terminals coupledto the plurality of service institutions, wherein each point of saleterminal provides access to the plurality of electronic transactiondevices.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of electronictransaction devices includes a plurality of universal electronictransaction cards.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the plurality ofelectronic transaction devices includes a plurality of hand heldcomputers programmed to conduct electronic transactions.
 25. The systemof claim 22, wherein the point of sale terminals provide access to theplurality of electronic transaction devices by infra-red communication.26. The system of claim 22, wherein the point of sale terminals provideaccess to the plurality of electronic transaction devices by radiofrequency wireless communication.
 27. The system of claim 22, whereinthe point of sale terminals provide access to the plurality ofelectronic transaction devices by metallic contact communication. 28.The system of claim 22, wherein the point of sale terminals provideaccess to the plurality of electronic transaction devices by bar codecommunication.
 29. A method for conducting and reconciling an electronictransaction with an electronic transaction device, an electronictransaction device service provider, a service institution, and a pointof sale terminal, comprising: conducting an electronic transaction atthe point of sale terminal with the electronic transaction device;storing transactional information on the electronic transaction device;transmitting transactional information from the point of sale terminalto the service institution; transmitting transactional informationstored on the electronic transaction device to the electronictransaction device service provider; coupling the electronic transactiondevice service provider with the service institution; comparingtransactional information transmitted to the electronic transactiondevice service provider with the transactional information transmittedto the service institution.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the stepof conducting an electronic transaction further comprises conducting aplurality of electronic transactions.
 31. The method of claim 29,wherein the step of transmitting transactional information from thepoint of sale terminal to the service institution further comprisestransmitting transactional information from a plurality of point of saleterminals to a plurality of service institutions.
 32. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the step of coupling the electronic transaction deviceservice provider with the service institution further comprises couplingthe electronic transaction device service provider with a plurality ofservice institutions.
 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the step ofcomparing the transactional information transmitted to the electronictransaction device service provider with the transactional informationtransmitted to the service institution further comprises comparing thetransactional information transmitted to the electronic transactiondevice service provider with the transactional information transmittedto a plurality of service institutions.